Slat-clamp.



W. B. GOULD.

SLAT CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED um: 20, 1907.

Patented Aug. 29,1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR',

ATTORNEYS W. B. GOULD.

SLAT CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20, 1907.

1,001,841 Patented Aug. 29, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR;

- 2 q WflhamBEuUE ATTORNEYS WILLIAM B. GOULD, OF SOUTH ORANGE, NEWJERSEY.

SLAT-GLAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 29, 1911.

Application filed June 20, 1907. Serial No. 379,850.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. GOULD, a citizen of the United States,residing at South Orange, in the county of Essex and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Slat-Clamps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates, generally, to improvements in that class oftrunk-fixtures known in the art as slat-clamps; and, the presentinvention relates, more particularly, to improvements in slat-clamps ofthe various kinds with a view of providing a novel clamp which isadapted more especially for use with metal trunk-slats, and particularlythat class of metal trunk slat-s which are formed with one or morelongitudinally extending ribs or convolutions.

Metal trunk-slats in use are provided with longitudinally extendingribs, convolutions, or corrugations, the slat usually being formed withbut one of such ribs or corrugations, and the slats according to their10- cations upon the sides and top of the trunk being secured in placeby means of cornerclamps, edge-clamps and body-clamps.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a novel clamp, whether inthe form of a corner-clamp, edge-clamp or body-clamp, of

the general character hereinafter more fully set forth; and,furthermore, to provide a slat clamp for use with metal slats for trunkswhich be used for securing the slats in place and at the same timedispensing with providing the metal slats with the usual nail or rivetholes and thus doing away with the use of a great many slat-securingnails or rivets.

Other objects of this invention not at this time more particularlymentioned will be clearly understood from the following detaileddescription of the present invention.

With the various objects of this invention in view, the said inventionconsists, primarily, in the novel slat-clamp of the general characterhereinafter set forth; and, the invention consists, furthermore, in thenovel arrangements and combinations of parts, as

well as in the details of the construction of the same, all of whichwill be hereinafter more fully described and then finally embodied inthe clauses of the claims which are appended to and which form anessential part of this specification.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a side elevation of an edgeclamp made according to theprinciples of this invention, and a side view of a portion of a metaltrunk-slat; and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, said views showingthe use and the relations of the devices, one with the other. Fig. 3 isa bottom view of the edge-clamp; Fig. 4 is a transverse section, takenon line 44 in said Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a similar section, taken online 5-5 in the same figure. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of part of ametal trunk-slat and an edgeclamp of a slightly modified construction;and Fig. 7 is a transverse section, taken on line 77 in said Fig. 6.Fig. 8 is a side elevation of still another form of edgeclamp madeaccording to the principles of this invention, the same being for usewith the end-portions of two trunk-slats, disposed at right angles toeach other; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional representation of the same, said section beingtaken on line 1010 in said Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrow00. Fig. 10 is a plan or top view of a corner-clamp for a metaltrunk-slat, the clamp embodying the principles of this invention; Fig.11 is a side-elevation of the said clamp and portions of two metal trunkslats at right angles to each other; and Fig. 12 is a transversesectional representation, taken on line 1813 in Fig. 11, looking in thedirection of the arrow 3 Fig. 13 is a top view of a body-cla1np madeaccording to the principles of this invention; Fig. 14 is a transversesection taken on line 1515 in said Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a top view ofanother form of body-clamp embodying the features of this invention; andFig. 16 is a cross-section, taken on line 1717 in said Fig. 15. Fig. 17is a plan or top view of still another form of slat-clamp embodying theprinciples of this invention, said clamp being used with theend-portions of several metal-slats, so as to give the appearance thatthe slats are crossed; and Fig. 18 is a transverse section taken on line1919 insaid Fig. 17.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the abovedescrlbed views, to indicate correspondlng parts.

Referring now to the said drawings, the reference-character 1 indlcatesa portion of a metal trunk-slat, the slat in this case being providedwith but one longitudinally extending rib, convolution or corrugation 2,and the marginal supporting edge-porright angles to each other saidmember 5 being made with laterally extending marginal lugs or ears 7which are provided with nail or rivet-receiving holes 8. The memher 6 isformed with an end-portion, as 9, which is also provided with a nail orrivetreceiving hole 10. Extending longitudinally of the said member 5 isa convexed rib or raised element 11, formed upon its under side with aconcaved depression 12, all arranged to receive therein the end-portionof the rib or corrugation 2 of the metal slat.

Upon opposite sides of the raised element 11, the said member 5 is madewith the flat marginal edge-portions 13 and 14, and the lugs or ears 7are preferably thickened upon their under sides, so as to providesuitable shoulders or off-sets 15 which embrace the edges of the slat 1,substantially as shown in the several figures of the drawings, forretaining the metal slat in its fixed position when the clamp hasbeensecured to the body of a trunk by means of nails or rivets driventhrough the perforated ears or lugs of the clamp. In addition to thesethickened portions of the lugs or ears 8, the marginal edge-portions 13and 14 may be provided with downwardly extending marginal ribs 16 whichextend down the marginal edge-portions of the slat 1, so as to enhancethe general appearance of the parts when secured in their assembledpositions, and at the same time add an additional reenforcing means andfor the purposes of holding the slats in place against lateral movement.

In Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, I have illustrated the principles ofmy present invention applied to a slat-clamp, comprising two members 17and 18, at right angles to each other which are respectively formed withthe longitudinally extending convexed ribs or raisedelements 19 and 20,and the fiat marginal edge-portions 21 and 22, the member 17 beingprovided with the nail or rivet-receiving lugs 23 and the member 18being provided with the nail or rivet-receiving lugs 24. Upon theirunder sides,

the said ribs or elements 19 and 20 are concaved, .as at 26 in Fig. 9 ofthe drawings, for the reception therein of the end-portions of theconvolutions of the metal slats, substantially as shown. The underportions of the various nail or rivet-receiving lugs may be thickened toprovide the shoulders or off-sets 27, substantially as illustrated inFig. 9 of the drawings, and for the purposes previously described.

In the device illustrated in Figs. 10, 11

and 12, the invention is shown applicable This style of clamp to acorner-clamp.

comprises two members 29 and 30 at right angles to each other which arerespectively formed with the longitudinally extending convexed ribs orraised elements 31 and 32 and the flat marginal edge-portions 33 and 34,the members 33 being provided with a connecting and downwardly extendingweb 35 formed with a perforated nail or rivetreceiving lug or-ear 36,and the members or rivet-receiving lugs or ears 37 of the generalconstructlon hereinabove described. The said rlbs or elements 31 and 32are also 34 being formed with the perforated nail made on their underparts with the concave Y in of the end-portions of the convolutions ofthe-metal slats, as will be clearly evident.

In Figs. 13 to 16 inclusive, I have illustrated two styles ofbody-clamps for the The form of bodyclamp represented in Figs. 13 and14, conmetal slats of trunks.

sists, essentially, of a pair of members 39 and 40, at right angles toeach other the receiving portions 38, as shown in Fig. 12 of thedrawings, for the arrangement there- I member 40 being formed with anail or rivet-receiving lug or ear 41. The member 39 is also made with anail or rivet-receiving lug or car 42 which may be thickened upon itsunder side to-provide a shoulder or offset 43 for the purpose previouslystated. 1

The member 39 is furthermore provided with a laterally extending convexconvolution or element 44 which is-formed with a concave receivingportion '45 upon its under sides, so as to be fitted over the raisedconvolution or rib 2 of the metal slat 1, in the manner illustrated. Inthe construction illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16, the clamp is made witha laterally extending convolution or element 46, provided with theconnoons41 the slats are crossed. This form of clamp, as will be seenmore particularly from an inspection of Fig. 17 consists of the bodymembers or elements 52, said members being formed with the right-angledor crossed convexed ribs or raised elements 53, all of which areprovided upon their under faces with the concave receiving portions 54,see Fig. 18, in which are arranged, the ribs or convolutions 2 of theend-portions of the re-- spective metal slats 1. At their ends, thevarious body-members or elements 52 are formed with the laterallyextending perforated nail or rivet-receiving lugs or ears 55, forsecuring the clamp in position upon the sides of the body or the top ofthe lid of a trunk, in a manner that will be clearly understood from aninspection of said figures of the drawings, and for the purposesdescribed in the foregoing description of my present invention.

It will thus be seen, that various styles of slat-clamps, all embodyingthe principles of the present invention have been produced, whichpossess strength and neatness, and at the same time serve as a simplemeans for securing the metal slats in their positions without thenecessity of providing the slats with a series of closely located holesand obviating the use of a great many nails or rivets, as heretofore.

I claim:

1. A clamp for metal slats for trunks, said slats being provided with alongitudinally extending convolution or rib, said clamp comprising abody formed with an outwardly projecting convex element having in itsunder surface a concave receiving portion with which the convolution orrib of the slats is made to register, and laterally ex? tending lugs orears connected with said body formed with nail or rivet-receiving holes,said lugs or ears being provided with thickened parts forming shoulderswith which the edges of the slats register, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

2. Aclamp for metal slats for trunks, said slats being provided with alongitudinally extending convolution or rib, said clamp comprising abody formed with an outwardly projecting convex element having in itsunder surface a concave receiving por tion with which the convolution orrib of the slats is made to register, and laterally extending lugs orears connected with said body formed with nail or rivet-receiving holes,said lugs or ears being provided with thickened parts forming shoulderswith which the edges of the slats register, and said body being providedalso with downwardly extending marginal ribs adapted to embrace theedge-portions of the slats, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

3. A clamp for metal slats for trunks, said slats being provided with alongitudinally extending convolution or rib, said clamp comprising abody formed with a pair of fiat marginal edge-portions, and an outwardly projecting convex element which is centrally disposed betweensaid flat edgeportions, said convex element having in its under surfacea concave receiving portion with which the convolution or rib of theslat is made to register, and laterally extending lugs or ears connectedwith said body formed with nail or rivet-receiving holes, said lugs orears being provided with thickened parts forming shoulders with whichthe edges of the slats register, substantially as and for the purposesset forth.

4. A clamp for metal slats for trunks, said slats being provided with alongitudinally extending convolution or rib, said clamp comprising abody formed with a pair of flat marginal edge-portions, and an outwardlyprojecting convex element which is centrally disposed between said flatedgeportions, said convex element having in its under surface a concavereceiving portion with which the convolution or rib of the slat is madeto register, and laterally extending lugs or ears connected with saidbody formed with nail or rivet-receiving holes, said lugs or ears beingprovided with thickened parts forming shoulders with which the edges ofthe slats register, and said flat marginal edge-portions being providedwith downwardly extending marginal ribs adapted to embrace theedge-portions of the slats,

substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. A clamp for metal slats for trunks, said slats being provided with alongitudinally extending convolution or rib, said clamp comprising twobody-members, at right angles to each other each member being formedwith an outwardly projecting convex element having in its under surfacea concave-receiving portion with which the convolution or rib of theslat is made to register, and laterally extending lugs or cars upon eachbody-member formed with nail or rivet-receiving holes, said lugs or carsbeing provided with thickened parts forming shoulders with which theedges of the slats register, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

6. A clamp for metal slats for trunks, said slats being provided with alongitudinally extending convolution or rib, said clamp comprising twobody-members, at right angles to each other each member being formedwith an outwardly projecting convex element having in its under surfacea concave-receiving portion with which the convolution or rib of theslat is made to register, and laterally extending lugs or ears upon eachbody-member formed with nail or rivet-receiving holes, said lugs or earsbeing provided with thickened parts forming shoulders with which theedges of the slats register, and each body-member being provided withdownwardly extending marginal ribs adapted to embrace the edgeportionsof the slats, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7 A clamp for metal slats for trunks, said slats being provided with alongitudinally extending convolution or rib, said clamp comprising twobody-members, at right angles to each other each member being formedwith a pair of fiat marginal edge-portions, and an outwardly projectingconvex element which is centrally disposed between each pair of saidflat-portions, each convex element having in its under surface a concavereceiving portion with which the convolutions or ribs of the slats aremade to register, and laterally extending lugs or cars connected witheach body-member vformed with nail or rivet-receiving holes,

clamp comprising two body-members at right angles to each other, eachmember being formed with a pair of flat marginal edgeportions, and anoutwardly projecting convex element which is centrally disposed betweeneach pair of said flat-portions, each convex element having in itsunder. surface a concave receiving portion with which the convolutionsor ribs of the slats are made to register, and laterally extending lugsor cars connected with each body-member and formed with nail orrivet-receiving holes, said lugs or cars being provided with thickenedparts forming shoulders with which the edges of the slats register, andeach fiat marginal edge-portion being provided with a downwardlyextending marginal rib, said. ribs being adapted to embrace theedge-portions of the slats, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereuntoset my hand this 19th day of June 1907.

l/VILLIAM B. GOULD.

lVitnesses:

FREDK. C. FRAENTZEL, F. H. WV. FRAENTZEL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

